The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is a compact sedan that’s known for being BMW’s entry-level vehicle. Its classic styling has just a touch of sportiness in the body to appeal to those looking for a modern take on an older concept. 

The Coupe, however, shares some features with the BMW X1 SUV, which makes you wonder if it’s having an identity crisis. MotorTrend tested out both and they shared what each of their loaner vehicles had that were similar and how each one was unique. 

How are the Gran Coupe and the X1 so much alike?

Both the 2 Series Gran Coupe and the X1 have the same UKL2 platform, which is also shared by a few other BMW models. But the two are vastly different when it comes to how each one rides and how much room you get inside the cabin. 

The wheelbase on each one measures 105.1 inches. Because they’re built off the same platform, both can hold up to five passengers. The X1 has more roominess for them, though. It also has more cargo space area than the sedan, so it can hold more items.

Fuel economy estimates are relatively close. Both can get 33 mpg on the highway. When it comes to city driving, the sedan gets only 1 mpg less than the X1. The combined fuel economy rating is also the same at 27 mpg for each one. 

What does the 2 Series Gran Coupe get right?

Being lower to the ground, the 2 Series Gran Coupe has an advantage over its sibling, the X1. It experiences less body roll and will ease into curves and turns with no problems. 

It also comes with plenty of your basic driver’s assistance features to make your travel that much easier. Some of them include blind-spot monitoring, automatic high-beams, forward-collision and lane-departure warning to name just a few. 

Powering it up is a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine that’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. There’s more than enough power to get up to speed. This motor produces 228 hp along with 258 lb-ft. of torque, according to The Car Connection. 

Where does it fall short?

While the 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space isn’t much if you have a small family, it does okay for a single person or a couple. It’s large enough to hold about a week’s worth of groceries and other shopping items. You might even get by with a couple of medium-sized bags. 

But if you need more storage space, you would have to fold down the rear seats to get it. Also, the opening to the trunk area is quite narrow, so you have to slide your items in and that could limit what you’re able to store back there. The X1 has a much easier time of getting items in and out. 

Another problem the sedan faces is its lack of a decent suspension. While the BMW X1 SUV handles all types of road surfaces with ease, the 2 Series Gran Coupe has a tendency to make every pothole and crack noticeable. 

As stated above, the Coupe has plenty of standard assist safety features for driving, but you won’t have any of the advanced ones that its rivals offer. The competitors have things like traffic jam assistance, evasive steering, and lane centering. 

The 2 Series Gran Coupe is an impressive vehicle for a single person or a couple who doesn’t need a lot of storage space. While it shares many features that the X1 has, it still holds its own in the compact sedan market.